Connecticut College News

Storm update: Nov. 1, 11:30 a.m.

Connecticut College is actively monitoring Hurricane Sandy, and taking precautionary measures. The College will post updates here, as appropriate.

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UPDATE Thursday, Nov. 1, 11:30 a.m. Power is still out on the very north edge of campus, affecting some apartment-style student housing as well as some faculty and staff housing. The 26 students who live in College House, 360 Apartments and Earth House are being relocated to alternative College housing until the local utility can restore power to their residences.

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UPDATE Wednesday, Oct. 31, 5 p.m. Clean-up continues on campus. All campus roads have been cleared of debris, including the road from Harkness Chapel to Horizon House where a large tree had fallen. Classes resumed today, as did campus activities.

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UPDATE Tuesday, Oct. 30, 10 a.m. Connecticut College is in good shape compared with many of our shoreline neighbors. The Emergency Response Team met this morning and issues the following report:

- Everyone on campus is safe; there were no storm-related injuries.

- The College remains closed today and will officially open at midnight.

- Power is ON for all of campus, except the north section, beyond the Plex. This includes some apartment-style student housing as well as some faculty and staff housing.

- Several trees are down, some blocking roads. The grounds staff has begun clean-up. If you have to drive on campus, please use extreme caution.

- Shain Library will be open from 10:30 a.m. to 2 a.m.

- The Athletics Center will be open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

- The Oasis Snack Shop is open. All dining halls are operating on regular schedules, except Knowlton which is closed today.

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UPDATE Tuesday, Oct. 30, 7 a.m.

Power is ON for most of campus. The Emergency Response Team meets at 8:30 a.m. and will issue a more complete update after the meeting. Meantime, Harris and Jane Addams (JA) opened at 7 a.m. for breakfast; Smith opens at 8 a.m.

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UPDATEMonday, Oct. 29, 1 p.m. The Connecticut College campus is currently in emergency preparedness mode. The Emergency Response Team met first thing this morning to review all preparations and procedures, and issues the following cautions and information to the campus community:

- As of current reports, the highest - and most dangerous winds - are predicted from 3 p.m. today through 3 a.m. Tuesday. Please remain inside throughout the storm, but especially during those critical hours. If you must venture outside (for meals - see note below), please use extreme caution.

- Dining Services will operate on its regular schedule as long as the power remains on, and has contingency plans if the power goes out. Harris and Jane Addams (JA) dining halls will be open for dinner today. Students should use the dining hall closest to their residence.

- The Oasis Snack Shop will close today at 2:30 p.m.

- The Library closed today at 12:30 p.m.

- The Athletics Center is closed.

- Extra Campus Safety Officers will be on duty throughout the height of the storm.

- If students have an emergency, they are instructed to call Campus Safety at 860-439-2222.

- All other outside calls to the College that aren't directed to a specific extension should go to the main number at 860-447-1911. The College's first priority is the safety and welfare of students; the Campus Safety number should only be used for true emergencies.

- A team of physical plant services staff will be on duty throughout the storm to respond to emergency facilities issues. If students experience broken windows, flooding, downed power lines, etc., they are instructed to call Campus Safety at 860-439-2222.

- Students have been instructed to charge their cell phones.

- Even if the College loses power, use of candles (or lamps or lanterns that are fueled by flammable liquids or gases), is STRICTLY PROHIBITED inside all residence halls, houses and apartments.

- The movie planned for tonight in Cro is cancelled. Housefellows and floor governors are planning activities in residence house common rooms, and activities planned for Coffee Grounds and Lambdin Game Room will continue for students in those residences.

- Student Health Services and Student Counseling Services are closed. If students are having a medical emergency, they are instructed to call Campus Safety at 860-439-2222.

- Students are reminded to keep a clear head, as they may need to make decisions or respond to an emergency. The Emergency Response Team urges all students to avoid alcohol consumption. The Emergency Response Team appreciates students' cooperation with all efforts to ensure the safety of the College community by allowing staff and off-campus emergency personnel to use their time to respond to storm-related emergencies.

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UPDATESunday, Oct. 28, 5:30 p.m.

Connecticut College is CLOSED ON BOTH MONDAY AND TUESDAY. There will be NO CLASSES on Monday or Tuesday, Oct. 29 or 30. Only essential staff should report for work on Monday - they will receive instructions separately. Students, please be aware that dining halls will be open, residence life staff will be available, and campus safety officers will continue to patrol campus and be available for emergencies. The Emergency Response Team will meet Monday, Oct. 29 at 8:30 a.m. We will continue to keep the campus community informed, and will issue alerts as appropriate.

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UPDATESunday, Oct. 28, 12:30 p.m.

With the onset of Hurricane Sandy, and the predictions of heavy winds Monday evening into Tuesday, Connecticut College will close Monday, Oct. 29, at 1 p.m. and remain closed through Tuesday, Oct. 30.

Students and Faculty: There will be NO CLASSES Monday after 1 p.m. and NO CLASSES on Tuesday. Students should be alert to communications from their faculty.

Staff: All staff are expected to report to work as usual Monday morning and stay through 1 p.m., unless they have made separate arrangements with their supervisor. All essential staff will receive additional instructions in a separate communication.

We will continue to make updates here as the storm develops.

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Saturday, Oct. 27, 10 p.m. Connecticut College is actively monitoring Hurricane Sandy, and taking precautionary measures. The College will post updates here, as appropriate. On campus, the following preparations have been completed:

- Students have received storm preparation instructions.

- All emergency generators have been checked.

- All bulk fuel tanks have been checked and topped off.

- Dining Services has stocked up on foods that require minimal cooking/preparation. The generator in the largest dining hall has been checked and will provide power for freezers and refrigerators, if necessary.

- Proactive tree trimming has taken place.

- Outdoor furniture has been moved in or secured.

- Rooms have been identified and prepared to accommodate students, if the need to move any students arises.

- Extra emergency supplies have been procured.

- All essential personnel have been briefed. In the local area, New London Mayor Daryl Justin Finizio partially activated the city's Emergency Operations Center, with full activation scheduled for 6 p.m. Sunday. He has also asked city residents in flood-prone, shoreline neighborhoods to consider voluntary evacuation. Because of Connecticut College's hilltop location and distance from Long Island Sound, the College has NOT been included in any evacuation notices.

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Friday, Oct. 26

Dean of Student Life Jocelyn Briddell sent the following message to students on Friday, Oct. 26, to help them prepare for a possible major storm predicted for early next week.

Dear Students,

The National Hurricane Center forecast says this area of Connecticut may experience the effects of Hurricane Sandy as early as Monday afternoon. The forecast predicts, at a minimum, heavy rain, tropical force winds and a storm surge that could reach five to six feet. The College's Emergency Response Team has issued the following recommendations to help ensure your safety during the storm:

- Due to high winds, we may have fallen tree limbs. Please be careful when moving about the campus.

- Make sure you have fresh batteries for your flashlight, gas in your car's tank and spending money from the ATM. These items can be more difficult to obtain if there is a power outage.

- Charge your cell phone prior to the storm.

- Even if we lose power, use of candles (or lamps or lanterns that are fueled by flammable liquids or gases), is STRICTLY PROHIBITED inside all residence halls, houses and apartments.

FOR THOSE STUDENTS RESIDING IN WINCHESTER, ABBEY AND RIVER RIDGE: It may be in your best interest to move your vehicle to North or South parking lots and away from tree-lined streets.

All students please pay close attention to any emails or phone messages with specific storm-related instructions. We may also be communicating storm information via the College's Twitter and Facebook accounts, @ConnCollegeLive and Facebook/Connecticut College, respectively.

We will continue to monitor weather conditions and will communicate with you as appropriate.